Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, one of the state’s most powerful Republicans, is running for reelection against three little-known candidates in the GOP primary. Meanwhile, three Democrats have thrown their hat in the ring to try to unseat Patrick this year: state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, contracts manager Courtney Head and union leader Marcos Vélez.
All face steep odds, and they generally align on policy. Goodwin, however, is the most qualified candidate by far.
Goodwin, 58, is in her fourth term representing Texas House District 47, which covers parts of Austin and Lake Travis. She identifies education as her top priority, campaigning on increasing funding for public schools and ending the education savings account program that the Legislature passed in the last session to give certain families an avenue to pay for private school. She also criticizes STAAR, the state’s standardized test, for encouraging schools to teach to the test. She suggested that the state might instead move to a test with “norm referenced” scoring that measures students’ performance against other students.
This editorial page differs with Goodwin on education policy. We think the Legislature was right to explore and craft a limited voucher-like program focused on low-income students and those with disabilities. STAAR is an imperfect tool, but we support sticking with a test that applies “criterion referenced” scoring that measures student performance relative to a set standard of knowledge and skills. This kind of test gives Texas families and school administrators a relevant measuring stick to assess performance year to year, and it’s a necessary layer of accountability.
Opinion
Goodwin, who sits on the appropriations and insurance committees in the House, shows a deeper command of the issues than either of her opponents. In addition to her advocacy for public schools, she’s running on improving access to health care and making life more affordable for Texans.
A Texas Tribune analysis identifies Goodwin as one of the most liberal members of the Democratic delegation in the House. In an interview with us, she pushed back against the notion that she is a party doctrinaire. She described her efforts to develop relationships with colleagues across the aisle, including Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, with whom she passed a mental health bill. She said she has also visited right-leaning, rural parts of the state, such as West Texas and Johnson County, and talked to residents about unplugged wells and poisonous chemicals, taking their concerns to the state Capitol.
Vélez, 40, is an assistant director of United Steelworkers who lives in Houston. He has worked in Texas refineries and advocates for an “all of the above” approach to energy that supports the oil industry while facilitating the state’s transition to renewables. That message shows nuance and crossover appeal, but many of Vélez’s other ideas hew to progressive planks. He failed to convince us that his lack of political experience makes him better suited to lead the Texas Senate.
Also running is Head, 35, another political newcomer who is campaigning on strengthening public education.
Click here for the Voter Guide for this race.
This editorial is part of the Dallas Morning News Editorial Board’s slate of recommendations for the 2026 primary. Find the full project here.
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